Blog Archives

Theatre Review: CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG – Palace Theatre, Manchester

Ore Oduba and Ellie Nunn in CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. Photo Credit: Paul Coltas

With standout performances, infectious comedy, and stunning visuals, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG is a vibrant, joy-filled spectacle.

5 out of 5 stars

In CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, Ian Fleming wrote, “Never say no to adventures” and anyone attending this touring production is certainly in for an adventure filled with spectacle and infectious joy...

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Theatre Review: THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 1936 – The Lowry, Salford

Tracy-Ann Oberman in THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 1936. Photo Credit: Marc Brenner

This powerful reimagining of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 1936 highlights the play’s enduring relevance, with standout performances and a chilling portrayal of historical and modern antisemitism.

5 out of 5 stars

The well-known saying that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it feels especially relevant in this striking and audacious production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE 1936...

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Theatre Review: THE SHARK IS BROKEN – The Lowry, Salford

The cast of THE SHARK IS BROKEN. Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

Based on Robert Shaw’s diaries, THE SHARK IS BROKEN offers a witty and poignant behind-the-scenes look at the tense, complex relationships between the three JAWS actors.

4 out of 5 stars

Any fan of the 1974 film JAWS will know that its production was notoriously difficult...

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Theatre Review: NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL A MUSICAL – Opera House, Manchester

The cast of NOW That’s What I Call A Musical. Photo Credit: Pamela Raith

NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL A MUSICAL is a fun, nostalgic jukebox musical packed with 1980s hits, strong performances, lively choreography, and plenty of laughs.

4 out of 5 stars

Ah, the 1980s – a time when every hairbrush doubled as a microphone, ra-ra skirts were all the rage, and you could dream of being anything you wanted to be...

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Theatre Review: CALAMITY JANE – Opera House, Manchester

The cast of CALAMITY JANE. Photo Credit: Mark Senior

A whip-cracking production of CALAMITY JANE at Manchester’s Opera House delivers infectious energy, stunning performances, and lively choreography, making it a feel-good musical triumph.

5 out of 5 stars

It’s a cold, wet evening in Manchester but inside the Opera House there’s a whip cracking staging of CALAMITY JANE with an ensemble cast who are more than up to the job of taking the audience on a feel good tale of romance; well, eventually.

Jamie Wilson’...

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Theatre Review: ELF THE MUSICAL – Palace Theatre, Manchester

With joyful performances, seamless set transitions, and engaging audience interaction, ELF THE MUSICAL is a feel-good, festive experience that leaves audiences brimming with holiday cheer.

5 out of 5 stars

This year sees 21 years since the hit film ELF was released, becoming an instant Christmas classic...

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Theatre Review: MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS – The Lowry, Salford

This touring adaptation of MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS successfully captures the essence of Christie’s classic, thanks to strong performances, a creative set design, and well-placed humour.

5 out of 5 stars

Since its publication in 1934, Agatha Christie’s MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS has been subject to many adaptations, from film to television and, of course, many theatre productions...

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Theatre Review: 2:22 A GHOST STORY – The Lowry, Salford

The cast of 2:22. A GHOST STORY. Photo Credit: Johan Persson

Exploring themes of love, loss, and truth, 2:22 A GHOST STORY is an engaging and atmospheric play featuring strong performances and a skillfully crafted set that evokes tension and suspense.

4 out of 5 stars

A tale of the supernatural has to be regarded closely and treated with care. Too much fear and the work becomes a caricature; too little, and there is no bite...

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Theatre Review: ROBIN/RED/BREAST – Factory International, Manchester

Image courtesy of Wenjun Miakoda Liang.

Featuring a haunting and fractured score and a powerful performance from Maxine Peake, ROBIN/RED/BREAST is a powerful, disturbing, and provoking piece of theatre.

4 out of 5 stars

The early 1970s in Great Britain saw a resurgence in the folk horror genre with John Bowen’s BBC play ROBIN REDBREAST, now regarded as a cult classic and a precursor to the famed WICKER MAN in the cult lineage...

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Theatre Review: YOU’RE BARD – Sale Waterside Arts, Manchester

4 out of 5 stars

An unforgettable evening of Shakespeare unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, YOU’RE BARD is an expert masterclass in the art of improvisation.

As effervescent as a glass of Alka Seltzer, the cast of You’re Bard, gave Sale an expert masterclass in the use of improvisation throughout 90 minutes of hilarious comedy.

Take four actors and one compere, throw in audience participation in the form of Britney Spears and the themes come thick and fast, ricocheting like verbal ping pong...

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